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RAINS FROM TROPICAL STORM HENRI AFFECTING THE FLORIDA GULF COAST
(See
the NOAA National Hurricane
Center for the latest information on this
storm. Complete advisories are posted at 11 a.m., 5 p.m., 11 p.m.
and 5 a.m. All times are Eastern. Advisories are posted more frequently
as the storm nears the USA mainland.) |
Sept.
5, 2003 — The NOAA National Hurricane
Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 a.m. EDT the center of
Hurricane Fabian was located near latitude 30.8 north, longitude 65.4
west or about 110 miles south-southwest of Bermuda. Fabian is moving
toward the north near 17 mph. On this track, the inner core of dangerous
Hurricane Fabian will be passing near or over Bermuda later Friday.
Fabian is a large and severe hurricane. Preparations to protect life
and property should have been completed. (Click NOAA satellite
image for larger view of Tropical Storm Henri and Hurricane Fabian taken
on Sept. 5, 2003, at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Click
here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please
credit “NOAA.”)
Maximum
sustained winds are near 120 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuations
in intensity are likely during the next 24 hours. (Click NOAA
satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Fabian taken on Sept. 5,
2003, at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Click
here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please
credit “NOAA.”)
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center,
and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. Fabian
is a large hurricane, and tropical storm force winds are already affecting
Bermuda. A wind gust to 61 mph was experienced in Bermuda within the
10:00 a.m. EDT hour. Ham radio reports indicate that there are rough
seas and tree branches on roads. Hurricane conditions should begin soon.
Estimated
minimum central pressure is 951 mb, 28.08 inches. (Click NOAA
tracking map of Hurricane Fabian for larger view.)
Rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher amounts,
can be expected on Bermuda.
Coastal storm surge flooding of 6 to 10 feet above normal tide levels,
along with large and dangerous battering waves, can be expected on Bermuda.
Large swells will likely spread along portions of the East Coast of
the United States Friday.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for Bermuda.
| NOAA WARNS HURRICANE FABIAN WHIPPING UP DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS Although the strongest winds of Fabian will never touch the U.S. coast, the swells produced by this powerful storm will create surf dangers, including rip currents along much of the USA Northeast coast, according to NOAA. “Swell heights of 7 to 10 feet, some locally higher, will impact beaches from eastern Florida to New England Friday and Saturday, with some rough surf continuing through Sunday from New Jersey to New England. The rip current risk will be high,” said NOAA meteorologist Jim Lushine, a rip current expert with the NOAA National Weather Service forecast office in Miami, Fla. “Surf conditions will be hazardous, even though local winds may be light. Swim at guarded beaches and heed the advice of the beach patrol. If caught in the seaward pull of a rip current, don't try to swim directly toward shore. Instead swim across the rip current, which may be only 10 to 30 yards wide then move back to the beach. Parents and grandparents should pay careful attention to their children or grandchildren,” said Lushine. NOAA
Rip Currents |
RAINS FROM TROPICAL STORM HENRI AFFECTING THE FLORIDA GULF COAST
The
NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 a.m.
EDT the center of Tropical Storm Henri was located near latitude 28.3
north, longitude 83.9 west or about 80 miles southwest of Cedar Key,
Fla. Henri is moving toward the east-northeast near 8 mph, and a turn
toward the northeast is expected later Friday. On the forecast track,
the center is expected to reach the Gulf Coast of Florida Friday evening
and move across north-central Florida overnight. (Click NOAA
satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Henri taken on Sept.
5, 2003, at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Click
here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please
credit “NOAA.”)
Maximum
sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. No significant increase
in strength is expected prior to landfall. Tropical storm force winds
extend outward up to 45 miles from the center. (Click NOAA tracking
map of Tropical Storm Henri for larger view.)
Estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb, 29.44 inches.
Rainfall accumulations of 6-12 inches, with isolated higher amounts,
can be expected in association with Henri. Due to saturated ground conditions
and high river stages, these heavy rains could result in significant
flooding.
Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels
can be expected near and to the south of where the center makes landfall.
There is a risk of isolated tornadoes through Friday evening over portions
of central and north Florida.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Englewood northward to the Aucilla River.
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Relevant Web Sites
NOAA
National Hurricane Center —
Get the latest advisories here
NOAA Atlantic Hurricanes
Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes
NOAA
Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane
Scale
NOAA River Forecast Centers
NOAA Flood Products
NOAA Rainfall Graphics
24-hour
Observed Precipitation as of 8 a.m. today
Latest
rainfall data as of 8 a.m. EDT today
NOAA Buoys
NOAA
Tides Online
NOAA Satellite Images —
The latest satellite views
Colorized Satellite
Images
NOAA 3-D Satellite Images
NOAA Hurricanes Page
NOAA Storm Watch —
Get the latest severe weather information across the USA
Media
Contact:
Frank
Lepore, NOAA Hurricane Center,
(305) 229-4404